Alembic Epic Bass

Epic 1994 4 strings with 24 frets. It has walnut on top, 2 soap pickups, active electronics with 4 controls. Ebony fingerboard and maple neck in three pieces. Nice shape. .It's a wonderful instrument with a lot of possibilities.

Amazing sound! You can play any kind of music with the Epic: rock, blues, latin, funk, jazz, etc. I live in Argentina and I need a very versatile instrument to play jazz, bossa, tango, etc. I can play all that music with my Epic. I use it in combination with a 100W Trace Elliot Commando, a volume pedal and nothing else. The tone controls goes from very, very deep lows to dangerous trebbles. I must handle it with care. I don??t like artificial sound. I'm very satisfied with my Epic in all perfomances: studio and onstage. I had many good basses in my 30 years of musical career: Rickembaker 4001S, american Fender Precision Fretless 76', Fender Jazz Bass 65', Warwick Corvette Standard 6 st., Ernie Ball Music Man 90', Carvin LB 75 fretless, and in my opinion, this Epic is better than the others in many ways: sound, balance-weight, construction, etc.

Very confortable to play. Nice sound, nice fingerboard. The neck is faster than other Alembics I've played. The pitch is absolutely perfect. I don??t know how it comes from factory. I bought it used and I had to adjust the neck once 12 years ago. Can you believe it?

The only problem I've found is the battery. There??s no active-passive switch control or bypass. So, if you are playing onstage and suddenly you hear a lot of distortion coming from your bass, you're lost! You don't have enough time to replace the battery because you don??t play with a screwdriver in your hand and there's no way to change the battery quickly. So, if you have an Epic, check the battery before playing! The hardware is great. The construction is solid like a german tank. The finish is like new, fantastic!

I never needed it (knock on wood!)

I had this bass since 1995 and actually I love it like I did the first day. I feel it's part of me. If it were stolen or lost, I'd like to buy the same model, no doubt! Of course, I'd like it to come with an active-passive bypass switch. If you are looking for a reliable, strong, comfortable bass with a lot of sound possibilities, try one Epic and then tell me.

1997 Epic 4 string:
Bubinga top is beautiful,alembic's woodworking is the best.Get some pledge or good furniture polish and wax the wood up to a high gloss,shine the brass w brasso or noxon..and this thing just glides through your hands, the sophisticated body contours are sleek and modern,the ebony board is a slab,feels great and I believe is largely responsible for the bright,articulate,snappy tone.
adjustable nut and truss rods give more flexability w setups..
4 controls,Vol,Pan,Bass.Treb simple,
better than the confusing series electronics which are too overwhelming for me live.
mahogony body,bubinga top,maple neck,neck's string spacing felt wide at first,compared to my Jazz, but after a while,it felt liberating,having some room to stretch out..and I flew around agressively on the bass,

An early active bass, some of these alembics are over sensitive,the controls are super strong, not the pic..it was tuned for players..simple setup,useful sounds...

The first time I plugged in..
it felt warm and thuddy on with the neck pup soloed..
yet punchy and articulate,piano-like at times,but only slightly,
I was pleased..
I'd describe this as a perfect example of how active CAN sound and be better than passive. The combination of a a woodsy,warm earthy vibe meets high fidelity active electronics.

Yes, the bass and treble controls can be abused,
THEY ARE A BIT SENSITIVE,
it's best not to flood the bass control,
but I found when the treble knob was full up,the highs were not screechy or unbearable,more a cool,controlled high end.
Neck pu had a warm,classic fender thud on steroids,more clarity and punch though.
The bridge PU was more punchy,articulate and cuts through,yet still warm enough to groove fingerstyle funk..
Both were pleasant and useful sounds,great blended or alone
my favorite sounds...keep everything flat,both pu's on.

Frets are big,Alembics don't have a slinky,loose feel,like old warn in jazz basses have. more like wide necks and big frets,lots of brass and woodwork,it's part of the vibe..
I brought it in for a setup fight away, I was told it had a slight warp on one side of the neck, up near the higher frets..
It was fixed, the dual truss rods and adjustable nut may have helped,action is fine,maybe too low,i may raise it..my tech always does that though,most folks must like low action.
there was not a bit of rust or flaws on this 1997 bass,almost 10 yrs old,shines like a mirror after a bit of pledge,brass cleaner and elbow grease..
the bass is flawless.Alembics cost way too much,but look..they're worth every penny.

everything solid,screwed in,the neck feels solid,no sigh=ns of any problems. .

service is great on telephone, USE THE PHONE!
waiting for emails may take a month or two.

calling is great.Schroeder, Eden and Alembic are notorious for having amazing service dept's

this brand is all class, the armani suit of basses. A family owned outfit,Alembic. "Stick with the hippies!" someone once told me..it's true, they're true blue,this bass is a sophisticated looking,earthy,woodsy vibe..great sounding electronics..not as heavy as the neck-through type.Good balance,a bass that will be a keeper,folks will always comment on it,how pretty it is.."what kind of wood is that?"
Polish her up,it looks much better..
spend maybe $1200 used,or up to $1600 if u get good shipping,and a bass you love,it's worth it. but to pay $3900?..I dunno..I'd get a carl thompson if i was gonna spend 4k..

My 5 strings Alembic is THE bass. It is american, 24 frets, glued neck, Epic shape, two Alembic high impedance pickups, don't remember the wood, I think the neck top is ebony and the neck is laminated, transparent finish, brass bridge, gotoh tuners, volume, balance, bass and treble controls, active electronics, 36" neck (yes, one inch longer than normal), the case is from a Yamaha, bought in 1997 brand new in Guitar Center, Atlanta, Georgia

The Alembic sound is all you need. I play Symphonic Rock mainly, but I played heavy rock, blues, jazz, anything you can do with this bass. The sound is so full, that you don't need anything else over it, just the main voice or the guitar solo, more if you play 10th. It is good for stage, studio, even for your bathroom!!

It is not well setup at the factory, at least for my playing (very fast!). So I spent 1 year to calibrate it, and lot of money in luthiers!!
But the finish, fret work, neck work, tuners work, etc, is excellent.
The pickups needed a little adjustment, but you know this is a personal taste....

I think my Alembic will stop work because it will be buried with me. It seems like it was the first day!! And after the final truss rod adjustment, never again!!.
Let me tell you that sometimes I played my Yamaha on Stage, and the Alembic is my backup. And once (just once) the Alembic had to come, because the Yamaha stopped sound!!

The Alembic customer support was TERRIBLE, TOO TOO BAD!! The electronics had a circuital error, and I had to fix it, and I let them know about it, and they just said "give us you mail address and we'll send to you an Alembic T -shirt"

It is with me since 1997, but I have another basses, a Fender Jazz, a Rick 4001, a Yamaha NE5-A and a fretless custom. And it has all other basses taste on it, I love it!! I use it through a ME-5B Boss processor and a Tech21 SansAmp speaker emulator and a Trace Elliot Amp with Ampeg cabinets, and it is super solid sound!!

Lots o' stuff here. Dual 2-way truss rods, height adjustable brass nut, machined brass bridge and tailstop, Ebony fingerboard, 3 piece quartersawn maple set neck with a large volute, walnut accent veneer between fingerboard and neck, bookmatched exotic top (mine is flamed walnut) with matching headstock veneer, maple accent veneer between top and body (whicn is mahogany) gold tuners and strap buttons, 2 hum cancelling single coil pickups (with "dummy" coils), satin polyeurothane finish. The electronics are active bass, treble, volume and pickup blend (the only reason I don't rate it a 10 is that it has standard bass and treble tone controls instead of the Alembic filter controls).

This bass does nearly everything. The bridge pickup is focused and buttery and the neck pickup is warm and robust. There is a ton of adjustability in the electronics. Solo the neck pickup and crank the bass and this thing is earth shaking. Solo the bridge pickup with the trebel cranked and it'll be so bright you risk popping your ear drums. Turn all the knobs to their center detent positions and you'll get a warm, smooth, well defined, articulate bass tone. It does'nt take much knob twiddling to find a good tone for any genre of music. The only limitation I've found is that this bass sound so clean, but I can't complain since its so much easier to add some dirt to a clean tone than is is to try to clean up a dirty tone. I just crank the gain on my amp when I need the grit.

This thing was flawless out of the factory. Alembic does not let anything go out their doors that is less than perfect. The finish was perfect. All frets were completely seated and expertly dressed. The nut and saddles were cut to the tightest of tolerances. There was not a single scratch, file chatter mark or any thing of the sort. The action was fast and friendly without a single fret buzz and the ballance between the pickups was very even. The adjustable nut, body located truss rod adjustments and simple (2 screws) bridge height adjustment make it easy for the player to set up the instrument for any playing style also.

This bass has been the only bass I have used for nearly a decade. I have taken it on tour without a case (I used a gigbag until a couple months ago), dropped it excessively, let it fall from its stand, and generally abused it for almost the whole time ive had it and it has stood up to it all. Sure, its got lots of dents, but the finish is still completely intact and protecting it like a champ. The only actual problems ive had stemmed from me dropping the bass from playing height directly on its control knobs onto a cement surface, but even those problems were minor because Alembic had the sense not to solder all the pots to the same circuit board. Had that been the case, I certainly would have cracked the circuit board and needed to replace it. Instead, all I needed to do was make a small adjustment to one of the pots. Also, Ive been playing this thing hard for nearly 10 years and am still nowhere near needing a fret job.

Before I bought this bass and was looking for something to replace my Ibanez, I stopped in at the factory after hours to ask for some literature on the bass. They gave me the literature and a complete factory tour (thanks Mica). Also, when the bass quit working (after I dropped it) I called the company to ask about sending it in for repairs. After describing the problem (no output) without even having to be put on hold, the guy who answered the phone described the cause and solution to the problem and with that info I was able to have the bass working within minutes on my own. These guys are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable

Ive been playing bass for 14 years and have played (but not necessarily owned) fender, zon, rickenbacker, gibson, spector, tobias, warwick, carvin, conklin, curbow, G&L, mike lull, modulus, and pedulla basses among others, and none have come close to having the feel that this bass has, or being the "total package" that this bass is. If the bass were lost or stolen I would probably replace it with a custom Alembic with an identical neck profile and similar body style. In my opinion this is the greatest bass I have ever played. I only give it a 9 because the price has gone up so much since I bought mine.

1989 Alembic Epic 4-String - Made in Santa Rosa, Calif. - 24 frets - Mahogany body with maple veneer and walnut top - Volume, Treble, Bass, and Pan controls - Alembic pickups - Active Electronics - Neck is maple with 2 walnut veneers and walnut veneer on peghead - Finish is polyester that resembles a satin finish. Body style is somewhat traditional with long sharkfin-like top horn and virtually no bottom horn to speak of - Brass bridge and heavy brass tailpiece - Gotoh tuners with Alembic logo similar to Schallers - 34" scale neck - Original Hardcase included.

Would probably suit ANY style - I play hard rock, psychedelic, punk, anything. Currently play through ancient Yamaha amp, but soon to change. Not noisey at all. Sounds? While it is capable of a variety of sounds, it's not that it's capable of so many sounds, it's just that they all sound so damn good !!! Clarity is the word that comes to mind. Low end notes are just phenominal !!!

Got it used and the setup was pretty good. Lots of oxidation on the brass bridge but that's what happens when you never clean it !! Beautiful woods all around. They even took special care to match the grain of the walnut top to the shape of the horn part of the body. Look up "Beautiful Wood" in the dictionary and it just says ALEMBIC.

Everything on the bass is built to last. The only drawback is that the neck does seem affected by changes in humidity. So instead of constantly fiddling with the truss rod, I prefer to raise or lower the bridge a little when this happens. Would use without backup but it's always a good idea to be prepared.

If you like to wait for an answer to e-mails, don't hold your breath. But if you phone them, you will not find any other company that is as friendly and helpful. I called them to find about a part for a USED bass I got on e-bay and they were as helpful as if I was ordering a $13,000 custom instrument. You've got to remember, those folks are making SERIOUS instruments there and you've just got to be a little patient !!

I've played over 20 years and also have a Fender Mexican Jazz Bass. If it were gone, I'd definitely want another Alembic. Would probably choose the Epic again. The Alembics I really like cost as much as a car, so I'd get the same model. Some of the more inexpensive (laughter)Alembics tend to look like all the other basses out there. Notice I didn't say they sound the same. The Epic has it's own distinctive look which I like. The only thing that mystifies me is why they use the satin finish. It's supposed to like an oiled finish but where your hand or arm rubs, the finish looks really shiny so eventually the bass looks shiny on some parts and more dull on others. It seems like it'd be better to just make the finish shiny to begin with. Then it'd always look even. You're probably asking, "How can this guy know SO much??" Anyway,this is just a very minor annoyance cause in the end the Epic is Awesome. Those people really know what they're doing up there in Santa Rosa. Hearing is believing. So instead of jumping from bass to bass, trying all kinds of basses that wish they were Alembics, just get it over with and get yourself one.

Pretty bocate wood top, active pick ups, great sound, looks. If this is the entry level the top of the line is scary.

This bass sounds so good! I was sent home buy the studio enginer once for not bringing it to the session. He made me go get this bass.Any sound you want this bass can get it. Together with my SWR Mo Bass head my sound is top notch.This bass has produced great metal and rock sounds. All I can say is try it out.

Got it used and from the get go this bass was ready to play. The action had to be raised slightly (not do to any buzz) because I play like a gorilla and make too muck string noise when the action on any bass is too low. I've ben playing 14 years and this was the first bass that actualy made me feel like " I own this bass".

Here is the downfall of this bass, It needs to be set up all the time. I'm no guitar teck so this can get expensive. If your good at set up jobs than this bass is perfect. If your like me well lets just say I'm a little needy in that catagory, You'll have to have a back up for the downtime

Haven't delt with them yet.

This is a great bass, in my search for the Holy Grail this is the next best thing. Maybe the answer is a higher line alembic, but that makes my wallet cry in pain. So untill i can afford one this is my main bass.

For a bass to have this many features and be the first step in a line thats scary. I could only dream of a series 1 or 2. Active electronics Alembic pickups (the best I've used yet). Bocate wood top real pretty.

It sounds like anything I want it to. I'm sure my SWR Mo Bass with 4x10 and 115 cabs help. But not one of my other basses sounds like this one. I acctualy had the studio guy rescedule a session because this bass was being set up. He wanted me to use it.

came to me with action to low. No buzzes I just play real hard and make to much string noise. After adjustment it plays unlike anything else I have. The only bass I've ever played that felt this good was a 3,000 Ken Smith. Once in awhile you get that bass you can't put down to me this is it.

This is my only complaint it needs to be set up constantly. If I wasn't such a moron with tools this wouldn't be a problem. But in this catagory my fenders, carvins and music man all have it beat.

Great this bass had a bad jack I had a new one overnight.

I've had her since 98 and other basses have come and gone this is still my main bass. In my search for the holy grail of 4 strings this is the closest so far.

I bought my '95 Epic from a guy on e-Bay. I had previously owned a Series I in the early 80's and had been kicking myself in the rear for selling it ever since. My Epic is very true to the Alembic tradition of power and clarity. It is a 34 in. scale with an ebony fingerboard and jumbo frets. It has the Flame Walnut upgrade body and headstock laminates.

I am a Christian musician and Contemporary Christian Music demands a versatility in tonal ranges from your gear. I play my Epic through a Trace-Elliot 300w Combo w/ 4 Celestion 10's and a horn. It's a sweet marriage. Any sound I need to get is there without using a bunch of pedals. I also have a Fender Jazz and that has become my backup because it can not produce the fullness that the Epic can.

EVERYTHING on my Epic was made to perfection. The previous owner did not know how to set it up, but that was soon rectified and now it plays like a dream.

Just out of secrity, I ALWAYS have a backup bass. I had to utilize it once. Whaen I first got it the previous owner let the pan pot get loose and played it that way for a while (my opinion) this caused two solder joints to come loose on a pc board in the pre. It was an easy fix and I've had no problems with it since.

Customer support is the best!!! Alembic treats every owner like family. I called for info on my bass and they acted like I was a long lost relative.

Ive owned Fender,Rickenbacker,Hagstrom, Guild, Ibanez,and an '81 Series I Alembic. Other than my other Alembic, Ive felt the need to modify each bass in some way. Not this one. And how can a $3000.00
bass for $750.00 not be a good value?

This one was made in 1994, so it's one of the first Epic's ever build. Is a 4-string, fretted, ebony fingerboard, Volume/Treble/Bass/Pan controls, dual body adjust truss rods, mahogany body and 2 MXY4 pickups.

The control has got a wide usable range of sounds, usable for stage and studio.
I play all kind of styles and this bass can do it all. The combination with my Trace Elliot (300 watt combo 2x10" + cabinet 1x15") is perfect. Especially when you play funky.
First I had to get used to the honesty of the guitar. You can realy hear everything you play, so you allso hear every smallest mistake, you can't disguise it. But now I can use this characteristic in my own advantage and in a short time I made a huge progress in my technique.
With my other basses it was difficult to compete with the volume of the allways to loud playing sologuitarplayers. But somehow the Epic cuts easily through the guitarsoundwall without playing louder.

I bought this bass secondhand so I don't know how it came from the factory. All I know is that the former owner mistreated her. The body is pretty damaged. But the essential parts are okay. I don't know if an other brand would have survived it.
My Dutch Alembic distributor told me that my Epic will look like new after a refinishjob. I hope so.

In spite of how the former owner treated this bass, it still sounds and feels great. And in spite of the damaged body the finish looks still good.
Every part of this bass is attached in a wellconsidered way.
The electronics can be replaced (but why should you) without soldering, everything is pluged together with goldplated connectors.
And everything is easy adjustable.

I wanted to know something and I sent an E-mail to Alembic in the evening. The next morning I allready received the answer. So my experience with the customer support is okay.

When I was 6 I played my first electric guitar. At 14 I got my first bass: an Ibanez telecaster imitation. The next years I got a Kramer, Fernandes, Ibanez musician, Fender Precission, et cetera. I allways dreamt of owning an Alembic. Now 30 years later I finaly own one. If I ever consider to buy an other bass, it will be another (maybe more advanced) Alembic.

My excuses for my poor English. I hope it is a bit readable.

This bass is made in U.S.A. Great workmanship. 1997 was a good year for me because this bass kicks. The brass bridge and nut ( adjustable ) set neck and exelent tone woods make this baby sonic marval.

This bass suits all styles as it can sound like any of the basses that I have owned and or played inthe past. Including Fender,Gibson,Washburn and a neck through Ibenez. The big bottom end is what I love the epic can thump. And even with the bottom cranked there is enought mid and high to be comfortable for many styles. And the ebony board is just the best too great, fret work and brass hardware are a winning combineation.

This bass is a custom unit the time and care that went into it are easy to see. The natural wood finish is cool the neck feels great the finish is not bomb proof but why go out of your way to damage an instrument. The nut and bridge are very easy to adjust as is the double action truss rod. This is good for climit changes and yearly set up savings. You can do it your self.

This bass has worked good on live gigs and I have used it even out of town without a back up. The finish is soft but what's wrong with some character marks. the neck needs attention twice a year but I like to have mine perfect. The brass nut and bridge are life long but they carroded with sweat.

I have delt with Alembic and had great results. The bass is registered in my name and they will not sell parts to anyone except me in case of a theft. They sent me a wood card detailing the wood used in my bass. They supplied me with a tool kit and detailed instructions on how to set the neck up for perfect relief. And the e-mails were answered promptly.

The lenght of time a person has played is allways different. I have played for twenty yaers but allways in bands playing songs always working never just calling myself a player, because am I A player ? this is the only bass I need now all others are sold or traded except one passive I will keep as a back up because not haveing one is just silly. If the bass is lost I would try and find somthing that would reproduce the sound as this bass is too high priced to just replace.